The country's oldest Seon (Zen) temple, it is also the closest to the Sokcho entrance to Seoraksan, only about a 10-minute walk from Sogong-won (small park). Built by the Shilla Monk Jajang Yulsa during the sixth year of Queen Jindeok's reign (in A.D. 652), it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times. A newer bronze Buddha statue (over 10m/33 ft. high) stands on the path to the temple. Past the bridge at the entrance are the four Cheonwang (celestial king) statues. Although most of the structures have been rebuilt, the original three-story pagoda, a 1,400-year-old bell, and one of the original stone Buddha statues remain on-site. You may choose to do an overnight temple stay here as well.